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Why the Cowboys should consider trading Sam Williams

NFL: Preseason-Jacksonville Jaguars at Dallas Cowboys

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Do you think there are any players the Cowboys should consider trading?

It feels like only yesterday when the Dallas Cowboys' war room was excited about the selection of Mississippi edge rusher Sam Williams. The 56th overall pick in 2022, Williams was an exciting pass-rushing prospect. He was a missile off the line of scrimmage. His ability to bend and accelerate to the quarterback made him an intriguing player that the team added to their defensive end arsenal.

Over his first two years in the league, Williams was buried behind a very deep Cowboys edge-rushing unit. He finished with the fifth-most defensive end snap counts in both 2022 and 2023. That’s because Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence were the bread and butter of the edge attack force. At the same time, Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler were productive veteran defensive linemen who had no intention of stepping aside for this young buck.

Despite being on the shorter end of playing time, Williams made the most of his opportunities. He had 10 tackles for a loss and three forced fumbles in his rookie season, where he finished fifth in voting for Defensive Rookie of the Year. There was no shortage of splash plays where he was found sacking quarterbacks or bodyslamming ball carriers in the backfield. “Slam” Williams was a real thing.

Sadly, the moment a great opportunity presented itself, Williams wasn’t around to take advantage. After Armstrong and Fowler left for Washington in free agency last year, the table was set for Williams to have his breakout season. Unfortunately, a knee injury in training camp ended his season before it even started.

Williams’ recovery is going well, and he is expected to be 100% entering training camp. That’s great news for a guy who is entering a contract season as he is in the final year of his four-year rookie deal. If there is a time to shine, that time is now.

While his health is better, the young pass-rusher enters an all too familiar situation where he finds himself once again in a crowded position group. Guys like Lawrence and Chauncey Golston left in free agency this year, but the team has reloaded over the last 15 months. Starting with back-to-back seasons where the team selected edge rushers Marshawn Kneeland and Donovan Ezeiruaku, suddenly the team has a couple of young players whom they’ll want to give playing time to.

The Cowboys also addressed the position in free agency this spring before Ezeiruaku fell into their lap in the second round of the draft. The team signed two former first-round picks in free agency, Dante Fowler and Payton Turner. The addition of Fowler is particularly worth noting as he is coming off a double-digit sack season and should be a key member of the Cowboys' edge-rushing rotation.

Last season, the Cowboys were hit hard with injuries along the edge, forcing them to reach deep, relying on players like Golston and Carl Lawson. This year, they are stacked with talent, which poses the question: What does it all mean for Williams?

As it stands now, it’s going to be difficult for the team to find enough playing time for all their edge rushers. Kneeland is entering year two, and he should see the field plenty as he’s one of the better run-stopping defensive ends. Fowler is the team’s fiercest sub-package pass-rushing option, so his role should be well-defined. Williams could slide in as DE#4 in a best-case scenario, but what happens if either the rookie Ezeiruaku or the free agent Turner starts turning heads? Even with keeping a safety-net depth surplus of players, the team could find itself a little saturated at the position group if one of these new guys is showing out.

Training camp will provide more data, but if the Cowboys are in a situation where they are six players deep at defensive end with no ability to give everyone adequate playing time, they should look into reallocating their resources. Imagine a healthy Williams on full display in preseason games against third-string offensive tackles. What kind of buzz could that generate? Could they flip him for a player who could provide them a greater service at another position? Or possibly help replenish next year’s draft capital?

With a deep group filled with many young homegrown players, Williams could be the odd man out. Other factors might come into play as well. Does he have the strength to help against the run, or is he just a one-trick pony? Does he approach the game the right way for the new coaching staff, whether it’s character, mental processing, or overall effort? These are legit questions that will reveal themselves soon enough, but there’s a range of outcomes that could find Williams on the trading block as final roster cuts approach.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...d-consider-trading-sam-williams-defensive-end
 
Determining the ‘jenga piece’ for the 2025 Dallas Cowboys

Tampa Bay Buccaneers v Dallas Cowboys

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

There are several players who fit the “jenga piece” criteria for the 2025 Dallas Cowboys.

An idea that interests me when talking about professional football teams and their rosters is figuring out who are the jenga pieces. This idea served as our discussion prompt here at BTB last Thursday. In case you missed that or are unaware of what a jenga piece is, here is the 101.

A popular board game (for lack of a better term) is Jenga. The rules of the game are that you have to stack wooden blocks and build as tall of a tower as you can. Once you use all of the blocks you have to remove pieces from the tower you have constructed to build your tower even higher. The trick is that you have to remove pieces carefully and ultimately make the right decision as to which ones you do want to remove so that the tower does not come tumbling down.

Relative to a football roster, we are on the hunt for which Dallas Cowboys players are the critical ones within the structure of the tower. We are talking about the players whom without the whole thing would tumble down. To be clear we are establishing right now that the position of quarterback is uniquely important and that without it the tower does not exist, so we are talking about non-quarterback options.

In terms of the 2025 version of the Dallas Cowboys there are five names that stand out.


Tyler Guyton​


Ultimately the answer is probably one of two people and that you can sway me in either direction depending on the day or moment. One of these two is second-year left tackle Tyler Guyton.

It makes sense to not panic over Guyton’s lack of an All-Pro first year in the NFL. For so long we were spoiled by the likes of Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick and Zack Martin that we forgot what normal was like for even really, really good offensive line prospects. It takes time, generally speaking, to adjust to the professional level.

Understanding this, so much hinges on Guyton being the guy at left tackle in 2025. We are way past the point of considering Tyler Smith for that spot so this is sort of a situation where it is either going to work or not and the latter is not an option that we want to learn the outcome of.

Given that Guyton is charged with protecting Dak Prescott’s blind spot he holds an extreme level of importance. He is a foundational member to the team and so much of what they are going to do rests upon his shoulders.


CeeDee Lamb​


This is the other top option and both feel a little bit like cheating since they are extensions to and insurances around the play of the quarterback. Such is life for a team’s left tackle and top pass-catching option.

We have said forever and ever how the Cowboys not having a proper second wideout has hindered the offense (more on that in a bit). While that is true, without their top receiving option they would be up a proverbial creek. For the most part Lamb has been available for the Cowboys since they drafted him (we are somehow entering year six with him on the team) and so we haven’t quite had to learn what life without his services is like.

Can you imagine? Obviously you don’t want to and thankfully after last year’s extension drama we don’t have to. But without doing so we all understand how supremely important Lamb is to what this team is looking to accomplish.


Micah Parsons​


You can file this under Duh with a capital D. Micah Parsons it the best player on the Cowboys roster so without him they are nowhere near as good. If the team were ever in a situation where his future was even mildly up in the air, say with contract stuff, that they probably would want to take care of that as soon as possible. Thankfully that is not the case oops. Oops.

The reason that Parsons is a bit lower on my list is because he missed time last year, and while the team obviously was not as good without him, they did not totally fall apart. We can attribute this to a variety of things, but the main one is likely that today’s NFL is an offense-driven league and therefore your offensive superstars carry a little more worth in the terms of the discussion that we are having.

To be clear this is in no way to say that Parsons isn’t as valuable, or more valuable, than any one player. It’s just that he missed time last year and that the wheels did not fall off so that makes this conversation in this moment seem strange.

Don’t get it twisted, though. Micah Parsons is essential. Now and always. Pay the man.


DaRon Bland​


The situation at cornerback makes a player from this group an obvious pick.

Trevon Diggs is regarded as the top corner on the team, but DaRon Bland is more of a jenga piece in this exercise. Consider that we have some questions about Diggs at the moment. Will he be healthy? If so for how long? What is the future like for him with this team? There are some clouds there.

This exacerbates the importance of DaRon Bland. Another way to put this is that he has the highest floor of any corner on the team, and while there are other players who can raise it like if Kaiir Elam hits or Shavon Revel plays himself and is solid, the reality is that Bland is needed and sorely so.


Brandon Aubrey​


In looking at the comments from our discussion prompt there were a number of people who suggested kicker Brandon Aubrey. I thought about George Pickens for this spot but that just felt like repeating CeeDee Lamb.

Kicking plays a larger role than most people are willing to give credit. Given that the Cowboys arguably have the best kicker in the entire NFL on their roster, that elevates the importance and role that Aubrey plays within the team.

Aubrey’s distance and his control from downtown are specifically what put him in this conversation. You barely have to cross midfield to be in his range which increases your probability of scoring points. Without him and that luxury, the notion of scoring is more taxing (in a literal sense) on the overall operation of the team. He provides a great relief, so to speak.

Aubrey is another player on this list who is currently set to enter the final year of their contract with the Cowboys (along with Parsons there is also Bland in this overall regard) which suggests that the team has some work to do.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...-guyton-micah-parsons-daron-bland-ceedee-lamb
 
Dueling Cowboys 53-man roster projections heading into training camp

Texas scenics

Photo by Robert Alexander/Getty Images

We are going to see a lot of 53-man roster predictions in the coming weeks.

Every year at around this time, the first 53-man roster projections pop up. And (almost) every year we dutifully chronicle those first roster projections. I usually preface these summaries with an introduction like this:

“Not to be a killjoy here, but if the past 15 years or so that I’ve been intensely following the Dallas Cowboys training camp have taught me anything, it’s that rosters are largely set before the offseason program even begins, and most of the extra players brought in are little more than sparring and training partners for the roster locks.

That is the stark reality of NFL life.

Injuries and standout performances in camp provide the opportunity for maybe a handful of players each year to work their way onto the roster, but that’s pretty much it.”

That sure sounds nice and sufficiently nonchalant to perhaps even appear insightful, but is that actually true?

To find out, I took a look at the roster projections summaries published in July of 2024 and July of 2023.

To my surprise, the panelists we assembled in 2023 (Dave Helman of Foxsports, Todd Archer of ESPN, Jon Machota of The Athletic, and Dan Rogers of Blogging The Boys) averaged just 44 players in their projections that would end up on the Week 1 roster that year. And the panelists in 2024 (Todd Archer, Jon Machota, and Mike Fisher of Cowboys Nation) came in even lower with an average of 43 players. Here’s a quick summary of the results of each of the seven panelists:

[td]
[/td]​
[td]
Helman
Foxports
2023​
[/td]​
[td]
Archer
ESPN
2023​
[/td]​
[td]
Machota
Athletic
2023​
[/td]​
[td]
Rogers
BtB
2023​
[/td]​
[td]
Archer
ESPN
2024​
[/td]​
[td]
Machota
Athletic
2024​
[/td]​
[td]
Fisher
Cowboys Nation
2024​
[/td]​
[td]
Roster Projection "Hits"
[/td]​
[td]
45​
[/td]​
[td]
44​
[/td]​
[td]
44​
[/td]​
[td]
43​
[/td]​
[td]
42​
[/td]​
[td]
44​
[/td]​
[td]
43​
[/td]​

There were, of course, differences in each projection that resulted in the different number of hits. For example - and you may find this hard to believe today - in 2023, then-rookie Brandon Aubrey was heading into a training camp battle with another kicker named Tristan Vizcaino, and one of our panelists picked Vizcaino over Aubrey.

But what is interesting is that in both years, eight players made the Week 1 roster that did not show up on any of the July projections. Some of them are obvious, like players acquired via trade of free agency after the start of training camp, others perhaps less so, like former late-round picks or UDFAs that either benefited from an injury to a player at the same position or played themselves onto the roster with a good training camp performance. Here’s an overview of those players and how they came to join the roster:

[td]
Source
[/td]​
[td]
How acquired
[/td]​
[td]
2023
[/td]​
[td]
2024
[/td]​
[td]
External
[/td]​
[td]
Trade
[/td]​
[td]
Noah Igbinoghene​
[/td]​
[td]
Jordan Phillips​
[/td]​
[td]
Trey Lance​
[/td]​
[td]
Andrew Booth​
[/td]​
[td]
Free agent
[/td]​
[td]
- -​
[/td]​
[td]
Linval Joseph​
[/td]​
[td]
- -​
[/td]​
[td]
Nick Vigil​
[/td]​
[td]
PS signing
[/td]​
[td]
- -​
[/td]​
[td]
Buddy Johnson​
[/td]​
[td]
Internal
[/td]​
[td]
Draft Pick
[/td]​
[td]
Jalen Brooks (7th, rookie)​
[/td]​
[td]
Israel Mukuamu (6th)​
[/td]​
[td]
- -​
[/td]​
[td]
Matt Waletzko (5th)​
[/td]​
[td]
UDFA
[/td]​
[td]
Juanyeh Thomas​
[/td]​
[td]
Tyrus Wheat​
[/td]​
[td]
Rico Dowdle​
[/td]​
[td]
- -​
[/td]​
[td]
Hunter Luepke (Rookie)​
[/td]​
[td]
- -​
[/td]​
[td]
T.J. Bass (Rookie)​
[/td]​
[td]
- -​
[/td]​
[td]
Brock Hoffmann​
[/td]​
[td]
- -​
[/td]​

So now we know that rosters might not be quite as set as they may appear; the Cowboys can still bring in new players, and there may be down-roster players who’ll play themselves onto a spot on the 53-mn roster. Keep that in mind as you review the dueling roster projections by Jon Machota of The Athletic and Joseph Hoyt of the DMN below.

[td]
[/td]​
[td]
Machota
The Athletic
[/td]​
[td]
Hoyt
DMN
[/td]​
[td]
Quarterbacks
[/td]​
[td]
Prescott​
[/td]​
[td]
Prescott​
[/td]​
[td]
Milton​
[/td]​
[td]
Milton​
[/td]​
[td]
Running
Backs
[/td]​
[td]
Williams​
[/td]​
[td]
Williams​
[/td]​
[td]
Sanders​
[/td]​
[td]
Sanders​
[/td]​
[td]
Blue​
[/td]​
[td]
Blue​
[/td]​
[td]
Mafah​
[/td]​
[td]
[/td]​
[td]
Luepke​
[/td]​
[td]
Luepke​
[/td]​
[td]
Wide
Receivers
[/td]​
[td]
Lamb​
[/td]​
[td]
Lamb​
[/td]​
[td]
Pickens​
[/td]​
[td]
Pickens​
[/td]​
[td]
Tolbert​
[/td]​
[td]
Tolbert​
[/td]​
[td]
Turpin​
[/td]​
[td]
Turpin​
[/td]​
[td]
Mingo​
[/td]​
[td]
Mingo​
[/td]​
[td]
[/td]​
[td]
Brooks​
[/td]​
[td]
Tight
Ends
[/td]​
[td]
Ferguson​
[/td]​
[td]
Ferguson​
[/td]​
[td]
Schoonmaker​
[/td]​
[td]
Schoonmaker​
[/td]​
[td]
Spann-Ford​
[/td]​
[td]
Spann-Ford​
[/td]​
[td]
Offensive
Line
[/td]​
[td]
Guyton​
[/td]​
[td]
Guyton​
[/td]​
[td]
T. Smith​
[/td]​
[td]
T. Smith​
[/td]​
[td]
Beebe​
[/td]​
[td]
Beebe​
[/td]​
[td]
Booker​
[/td]​
[td]
Booker​
[/td]​
[td]
Steele​
[/td]​
[td]
Steele​
[/td]​
[td]
Hoffman​
[/td]​
[td]
Hoffmann​
[/td]​
[td]
Richards​
[/td]​
[td]
Richards​
[/td]​
[td]
Thomas​
[/td]​
[td]
Thomas​
[/td]​
[td]
Jones​
[/td]​
[td]
Bass​
[/td]​
[td]
Cornelius​
[/td]​
[td]
[/td]​

Machota and Hoyt are largely aligned on offense, with some differences on the number of players the Cowboys will carry at WR, RB, and OL. Is this the chance for downroster guys like Ryan Flournoy or maybe John Stevens to make a push for a roster spot?

Not a lot of surprises on defense either:

[td]
[/td]​
[td]
Machota
The Athletic
[/td]​
[td]
Hoyt
DMN
[/td]​
[td]
Defensive
Ends
[/td]​
[td]
Parsons​
[/td]​
[td]
Parsons​
[/td]​
[td]
Fowler​
[/td]​
[td]
Fowler​
[/td]​
[td]
Williams​
[/td]​
[td]
Williams​
[/td]​
[td]
Kneeland​
[/td]​
[td]
Kneeland​
[/td]​
[td]
Ezeiruaku​
[/td]​
[td]
Ezeiruaku​
[/td]​
[td]
Turner​
[/td]​
[td]
Turner​
[/td]​
[td]
Defensive
Tackles
[/td]​
[td]
Odighizuwa​
[/td]​
[td]
Odighizuwa​
[/td]​
[td]
Solomon​
[/td]​
[td]
Solomon​
[/td]​
[td]
M. Smith​
[/td]​
[td]
M. Smith​
[/td]​
[td]
Toia​
[/td]​
[td]
Toia​
[/td]​
[td]
Linebackers
[/td]​
[td]
Liufau​
[/td]​
[td]
Liufau​
[/td]​
[td]
Murray​
[/td]​
[td]
Murray​
[/td]​
[td]
Sanborn​
[/td]​
[td]
Sanborn​
[/td]​
[td]
James​
[/td]​
[td]
James​
[/td]​
[td]
D. Clark​
[/td]​
[td]
Johnson​
[/td]​
[td]
Cornerbacks
[/td]​
[td]
Bland​
[/td]​
[td]
Bland​
[/td]​
[td]
Elam​
[/td]​
[td]
Elam​
[/td]​
[td]
Revel​
[/td]​
[td]
Revel​
[/td]​
[td]
Carson​
[/td]​
[td]
Carson​
[/td]​
[td]
Mukuamu​
[/td]​
[td]
Mukuamu​
[/td]​
[td]
*CB not on roster
[/td]​
[td]
Goodwin​
[/td]​
[td]
Safeties
[/td]​
[td]
Hooker​
[/td]​
[td]
Hooker​
[/td]​
[td]
D. Wilson​
[/td]​
[td]
D. Wilson​
[/td]​
[td]
Bell​
[/td]​
[td]
Bell​
[/td]​
[td]
J. Thomas​
[/td]​
[td]
J. Thomas​
[/td]​
[td]
[/td]​
[td]
A. Clark​
[/td]​
[td]
Specialists
[/td]​
[td]
Aubrey (K)​
[/td]​
[td]
Aubrey (K)​
[/td]​
[td]
Anger (P)​
[/td]​
[td]
Anger (P)​
[/td]​
[td]
Sieg (LS)​
[/td]​
[td]
Sieg (LS)​
[/td]​

As far as projections go, these two have probably summarized the general sentiment about the roster pretty well at this point of the offseason.

Suspensions (knock on wood), trades, injuries (knock on wood three times), and other things of that nature (knock on wood vigorously) tend to disrupt these projections. But that’s also where depth guys then get to step up and seize their opportunity.

What’s your take on the two projections above, and where do you think they got it wrong?

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...ining-camp-player-additions-trade-free-agents
 
Cowboys survey: Predicting the season with training camp roster

NFL: Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images

How many wins do you think the Cowboys will finish this season with?

We’ve almost made it. The vast void of the offseason is quickly coming to a close. In a week, the Dallas Cowboys will be in Oxnard, California opening training camp and pushing the 2025 season on to the stage.

At this point, we have a pretty good idea of who will be on the roster. Sure, changes will be made around the edges, but the bulk of the 2025 team is already signed.

Given that, we thought it would be a good time to read the room on expectations for the Cowboys 2025 season. A lot has changed since those early weeks of the offseason when Jerry Jones was still negotiating with Mike McCarthy for a return.

Since then, we have seen the Cowboys turn to Brian Schottenheimer as a head coach and many Cowboys fans have been pleasantly surprised about his early work as head coach. The Cowboys also made an effort in free agency, made some trades that included the big one for George Pickens, and they had a pretty good draft.

We have also learned that Dak Prescott is fully recovered from injury and will be a full-go at training camp. And we also know their schedule of who, when and where they will play.

Now that we are on the precipice of training camp, we wanted your opinion on how many games the Cowboys will win this year.

Vote in the poll then hit the comments.

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Dallas Cowboys fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...dicting-season-win-total-training-camp-roster
 
3 biggest surprises from Cowboys roster moves

imagn-26818780.jpg


A lot has happened in the last few days, leaving the Cowboys with a very current version of a 53-man roster. From cuts to injury designations to even a trade, which of Dallas’ various moves were the most surprising? And are any of them only a temporary stunner?

OL Asim Richards traded​


The Cowboys were able to get a little something for a player they were supposedly going to cut. And when we say “a little something,” it’s about as small as it gets. Dallas sent Richards and a 2028 seventh-round pick to New Orleans in exchange for the Saints’ sixth-round pick that year. So yeah, it’ll be three years before we reap the benefit of the move; the phrase “better than nothing” being stretched to its absolute limit.

In a media session just after Tuesday’s cut deadline, Brian Schottenheimer said Richards was traded because he wasn’t going to make the roster. The 2023 fifth-rounder was passed by Nathan Thomas as the team’s backup left tackle, making him vulnerable. But given Dallas’ current state at the position, it’s surprising that they wouldn’t hang on to Richards for at least a couple more weeks.

Starting LT Tyler Guyton has made great strides towards returning from a training camp knee injury, including returning to limited practice on Monday. But while he maintains that he’ll play next Thursday night in Philadelphia, the team hasn’t confirmed that. Asking Guyton to travel and play after about a month’s absence, and especially in such a crucial game, may be too much.

If Guyton is inactive for Week 1, Thomas is the starting left tackle. Richards would have been his backup based on experience and where guys have been deployed during practices and preseason games this summer. Other reserve tackles like the released Hakeem Adeniji and rookie Ajani Cornelius had been focused on the right side, backing up Terence Steele.

Now, if Guyton’s out and something happens to Thomas, the Cowboys would have to choose between sliding LG Tyler Smith over to tackle or inserting the rookie Cornelius. If they move Smith, you’d probably have T.J. Bass or Brock Hoffman stepping in at guard. It’s hardly ideal to have so many moving parts, but that’s the risk Dallas could be running without Richards. Hopefully, the fact that they were willing to do it is a sign that they’re confident in Guyton’s return.

DB Israel Mukuamu released​


This one was a head-scratcher, but perhaps only for a short time. After a reportedly strong spring and summer in practices, the fifth-year veteran was part of the final cuts. But Mukuamu is not subject to waivers, so this could just be a short-term move as they’ll soon move Caelen Carson to injured reserve.

Dallas has a few cut veterans expected to get reemployed soon. Special teamer C.J. Goodwin is one of them, as usual, as is OT Hakeem Adeniji. The Cowboys are expected to place Carson and RB Phil Mafah on IR shortly, making them eligible to return after at least four games, then re-sign two of the guys they just released. Many are assuming that Goodwin and Adeniji will be the two.

What if there’s a third guy headed to IR? You never know when an “injury” can suddenly rear its head during cut week. In that case, Mukuamu would make a lot of sense to be brought back. You already need a fifth cornerback after losing Carson, because Goodwin doesn’t really qualify anymore. Mukuamu also gives you a fifth body at safety and is a special teamer, so good value all around.

If that happens, the move becomes far less surprising. But if this is truly the end of Mukuamu’s run in Dallas, it’s a surprise that he didn’t make it over Andrew Booth. Not only has he been a seemingly better player in his limited opportunities, but he fills spots on multiple depth charts. Still, Booth seems to be ascending in the eyes of the coaches, and is a more traditional player at cornerback. Hopefully, we see the same thing if he plays any significant reps in 2025.

Six defensive ends​


It was great to see James Houston, one of the top performers of August, get his deserved spot on the roster. But the surprise is that Dallas didn’t drop or trade anyone else to do it, and is now carrying six defensive ends. That’s an unusually long depth chart, especially considering that five of them are mainly pass rushers. But it may tell us something about the future of one of the other DEs.

One possibility is that the Cowboys are actively trying to trade Sam Williams, who has just one year left on his rookie contract. He won’t have great value after a missed season with a torn ACL, but Williams was once a second-round pick. If another team has a surplus at RB, OL, or DT and could use a pass rusher, perhaps a deal gets made in the coming days.

Another, and far scarier, possibility is that this has to do with the potential absence of Micah Parsons. Whether it be due to a holdout or health, or an even crazier scenario where he’s traded, Parsons still isn’t a sure thing for Week 1. We’d still expect Dante Fowler and Donovan Ezeiruaku to get heavy work in that case, but Houston and Williams suddenly become much more important.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/dal.../3-biggest-surprises-roster-moves-cuts-53-man
 
Why the Packers draft picks might not be the value Dallas is hoping for

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The Dallas Cowboys are riding on a lot of hope regarding their side of the coin with the Micah Parsons trade. The Green Bay Packers are getting an All-Pro pass rusher in the middle of his prime, albeit with a hefty price tag that makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in franchise history.

Dallas will have to wait to see the true value of their end of the trade. In exchange for Parsons, the Packers sent two first-round picks (2026 and 2027) along with defensive tackle Kenny Clark.

The veteran defensive tackle should solidify a need that’s plagued Dallas’ defense for years in stopping the run. However, the crown jewel of the trade for the Cowboys front office seems to be the two first-round picks. Owner and general manager Jerry Jones was practically salivating over the gumdrops dancing in his head during the press conference following the trade news, talking about what those draft picks can turn into.

Jerry Jones: “Those draft picks could get us top Pro Bowl players.”

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 28, 2025

In Jones’ defense, the team has been great at drafting and developing talent through the draft. When other teams seem to swing and miss in the first round, Dallas has a track record of being proven right, even if the media says they are wrong in the moment. Tyler Smith is a perfect example.

Those two draft picks carry a lot of weight right now, but there’s no telling where they land given how good the Packers have proven to be under head coach Matt LaFleur. Since joining the team in 2019, LaFleur has had just one losing season in 2022 when the team went 8-9, on the fringe of the playoffs. If Dallas hopes Green Bay’s draft pick turns into a top ten selection over the next two years, that sounds like a losing gamble for Jerry Jones.

During his guest appearance today on GBAG Nation with 105.3 The Fan, Pete Dougherty of The Green Bay Press-Gazette said that even before the Micah Parsons trade, he felt the Packers would be a 10-plus-win team in 2025.

“Even without Parsons I think the Packers were gonna to be a good team. I was gonna predict them to be 11-5 even though they have a tough schedule. They’ve got a pretty good roster top to bottom, they were just short on really elite talent, all of a sudden now they got one of the three or five best defenders in the league so that changes that.”

If Dallas finishes below .500 again for the second year in a row, maybe they combine that pick with the one from the Packers in 2026 and move up to get a primetime player like Parsons for a fraction of the price. However, like any lottery ticket, this strategy requires an investment in the unknown, hoping that the gamble pays off. In Parsons’ case, the Cowboys made a significant risk by banking on a vision, with Jerry Jones hoping to replicate the success he had from the Hershel Walker trade in the 90s that led to multiple Super Bowls.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/dal...t-picks-value-first-round-micah-parsons-trade
 
Report: Micah Parsons’ podcast created issues in Cowboys locker room that went up to Dak Prescott

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Micah Parsons is no longer a member of the Dallas Cowboys. In fact, he has already had a press conference as a member of the Green Bay Packers. It is over.

While we are all intent on moving forward the reality of the situation is that there are going to be details about the fallout between Parsons and Dallas, the one that led to him being traded away for two first-round picks and Kenny Clark, for some time. We might be hearing about them even years after this dust settles.

It did not take that long for quarterback Dak Prescott to get roped into it all. On Friday there was a report from Albert Breer in Sports Illustrated that detailed what happened between Parsons and the Cowboys, obviously there was a lot of that going around.

One line stood out from Breer’s report. In noting that Parsons’ podcast, the one he regularly does where he discusses matters across the NFL and otherwise, Breer mentioned that it was an issue within the locker room. He specifically made mention that it was an issue to some degree for Prescott.

As we said, the pacing of this negotiation wasn’t wholly dissimilar from what we all witnessed with Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb last year, or even Zack Martin the year before that. Once the team arrived in California for camp in 2023 and ’24, their negotiations were put on the back burner, the same way Parsons’s were this summer. Basically sending the message that if a deal isn’t done that works for the team early, the player has to wait.

That said, there is a difference between this negotiation and the previous three. Martin, Lamb and Prescott are/were very popular in the locker room. That’s not the case with Parsons, who has rankled teammates in different ways, seen by some as egotistical and self-centered. His podcast has created issues, too, that go all the way up to quarterback Dak Prescott.

The reason this feels significant is because Dak Prescott is rarely connected to stories like this. Dak generates some passionate emotions in terms of thoughts around his play, but it feels fair to say that we hardly ever see him in this kind of regard or anywhere near it.

If this reporting is true then the “what are you doing” nature of trading Parsons may make more sense to some people. In a world where everyone was rubbed the wrong way, maybe alleviating the team of Parsons’ presence improves group morale.

That is all based around this report being true, though. If it isn’t true then it is hard to draw that same kind of line. We should note that the article has no on-the-record quotes, or even vague off-the-record background references to where this information came from.

What do you believe?

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/dal...ah-parsons-podcast-cowboys-issue-dak-prescott
 
Dallas Cowboys slated to have multiple first-round picks for first time since 2008

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Thanks to their trading of Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers this week, the Dallas Cowboys are currently set to have multiple first-round selections in back-to-back NFL drafts for the first time in quite a while. We are saying that they are set to have them because by the time it comes down to making selections, it is possible that Dallas could have moved around. You know how that goes.

Assuming the Cowboys make multiple picks in the first round it will mark the first time that they do that in almost two decades. You obviously saw the title of this post and know that the last time this happened was 2008.

The Cowboys picked 22nd and 25th in that NFL Draft and took Felix Jones (Arkansas) and Mike Jenkins (South Florida), respectively, with the selections.

In case you are curious, the first pick in question (22 overall) came to Dallas by way of the Cleveland Browns during the first round the year prior. Cleveland jumped up to Dallas’ spot to take Notre Dame’s Brady Quinn and sent their 2008 first-rounder as part of the package to do so.

As noted the Cowboys will theoretically have multiple picks in the first round in consecutive seasons which gives them the opportunity to add a lot of firepower to the future of the team. While neither the Felix Jones nor Mike Jenkins picks worked out wonderfully, we shouldn’t read into the quality of those selections as they were basically a generation ago. Much has changed for the Cowboys and their draft process since.

Still, it is quite interesting how long it has been since Dallas took home more than one player in the first round of an NFL Draft. All we have to do is wait about seven months to see how it goes.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/dal...s-multiple-first-round-picks-first-since-2008
 
Report: Cowboys agree to 4-year, $92M extension with CB DaRon Bland

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The Dallas Cowboys have agreed to a contract extension with cornerback DaRon Bland. According to reports it is a four-year extension worth $92M.

Sources: The #Cowboys and standout CB Daron Bland have agreed to terms on a big new contract extension, as Dallas locks up a key defender.

It’s a 4-year, $92M extension for Bland done by agent Josh Arnold (@SynergySportInt), a deal that includes $50M guaranteed. pic.twitter.com/A2pKZ6bTn0

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 31, 2025

The world of the Dallas Cowboys is still processing the trade of pass rusher Micah Parsons that happened on Thursday, but in the aftermath of it the front office pledged to use their savings from it (as in from the contract that they did not give Parsons) on other would-be extensions and players in free agency next year. We can give them their legitimate flowers on this. They did so and only took a couple of days to get on the board in that capacity.

Bland is a playler who it has made sense to get a deal done with for some time now. A fifth-round pick in 2022, Bland was set to enter the final year of his rookie contract for the team. He first became eligible for a new deal this offseason and while Dallas got it done with just four days to go before the season starts, this is the type of thing we have asked of generally. Get these extensions done in the earliest window possible so as to prevent future problems.

Everyone remembers the 2023 season in which DaRon Bland set the NFL record for most interceptions returned for a touchdown. He did this after fellow cornerback Trevon Diggs was lost for the season very early on, a domino falling that led to Bland kicking to the outside. It remains to be seen what is going to happen with Diggs this season, in terms of when he will make his debut, but the Cowboys have seemed intent on playing Bland in the slot (this all seems to cast even more doubt on Diggs’ long-term future with the team). Maybe that is the vision for him long-term with this extension, with Shavon Revel (when he is healthy as well) playing along the outside with someone else. The Cowboys do have a lot of draft capital in the wake of the Parsons trade, after all.

Bland’s APY is $23M per year on the extension, but obviously we need to see what things look like once the specifics of the contract come out. That comes in north of A.J. Terrell, but still south of Patrick Surtain. As we say all of the time. there is a financial benefit to getting these things done in the earliest possible timeframe (generally speaking) and likely leads to a larger willingness to work from the player side.

There is still a lot going on, not to mention a game to play on Thursday, but this is a very good thing.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/dallas-cowboys-news/179580/cowboys-daron-bland-contract-extension
 
Cowboys news: DaRon Bland surprised by his new contract extension

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BREAKING: Cowboys extend All-Pro DaRon Bland to $92M Extension – Mark Heaney, Inside The Star


At least one extension is in the rearview.

After 2025, Dallas has a potential out of Diggs’s massive $97M extension.

Let’s say they take that route, citing his health and inconsistent performance. They’d be left with just rookie Shavon Revel, Caelen Carson, Trikweze Bridges, and Christian Matthew under contract at corner.

You don’t need me to tell you that’s bad. Diggs, Bland, and Kaiir Elam would all be headed for free agency in that scenario, leaving the Cowboys with virtually nothing guaranteed in the secondary.

As opposed to the pass rush, Dallas has way more future security locked up after the drafting of Marshawn Kneeland and Donovan Ezeriuaku.

In short, cornerback is a screaming need now, and will become an even bigger one after this season. Locking up Bland, who has been elite when healthy, saves them from serious problems next spring.

It’s a good bit of money for somebody who isn’t all that “proven,” but with the money freed up from trading Parsons, this is an obvious risk to take.

DaRon Bland ‘dumbfounded’ by Cowboys’ blockbuster contract extension – Josh Sanchez, Sports Illustrated


Good for you, Bland.

Bland and the Cowboys agreed to a four-year, $92 million contract extension, including $50 million guaranteed.

The money saved by trading Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers was immediately put to good use, but Bland admits he was “dumbfounded” by the amount of money he received.

“I was kinda surprised. I was a little bit dumbfounded. I can’t believe I’m going to be making that much doing what I do,” Bland told reporters after practice.

“I thank God, because not many fifth-rounders get the opportunities that I had and be in this league and be able to do what I do.”

That massive payday is well deserved.

While Bland started last season on injured reserve after suffering a foot injury at the end of the preseason, he is one of the top cornerbacks in the league when health. His versatility is also valuable for the Cowboys secondary, so there was never a second thought about whether Bland would get his money.

Now, he and the Cowboys turn their attention to Philly and are counting down the days to the September 4 kickoff on NBC, with live streaming on Peacock.

Cowboys re-sign 6th-round WR pick after nervous 24 hours, drop un-retired Commanders OL – Todd Brock, Cowboys Wire


It’s good to have you back Ryan Flournoy.

The Cowboys are still tinkering with their roster, just days before their season-opening game against the defending Super Bowl champs.

The club released offensive lineman Saahdiq Charles from the practice squad on Saturday, and in a corresponding transaction, brought wide receiver Ryan Flournoy back to take his spot. The move shores up depth for a dangerously thin pass-catching corps that currently has just four Cowboys wide receivers (CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Jalen Tolbert, and KaVontae Turpin) on the 53-man roster.

Flournoy, a sixth-round draft pick from 2024, had been waived earlier in the week to make room for a new offensive lineman, Trevor Keegan, who was claimed off waivers. Now having cleared waivers himself, the promising Flournoy is back.

A big-bodied receiver out of Southeast Missouri State, Flournoy saw action in 11 games last season for the Cowboys, starting one contest. He ended his rookie season with 10 catches for 102 yards and is seen as a still-ascending prospect at the position.

Flournoy, 25, will join Jalen Brooks, Traeshon Holden, and Jalen cropper on the Cowboys practice squad; each of them can be elevated for three regular-season games.

Jason Garrett just said what every Cowboys fan thinks about Jerry Jones – Ryan Heckman, The Landry Hat


Green Bay continues to haunt Dallas fans.

This football season just got a whole lot less entertaining for Dallas Cowboys fans. Actually, depending upon how you spin it, maybe it just got a whole lot more entertaining, thanks to Jerry Jones.

The Cowboys owner decided to trade Micah Parsons and, for the most part, this fan base lost their minds. So did the entire football world. Everybody legitimately thought Jerry Jones had lost his mind with this decision, yet he somehow tried to defend it — not a surprise.

In an interview right after the trade, former Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett was asked about the move when speaking with Mike Florio.

“If you’re there as a head coach and it’s a given that Micah Parsons is going to be traded, and then you say, ‘well okay, where are we trading him to?’ and they say, ‘the Green Bay Packers.’ What do you say in response to that?” Florio asked.

“Well, let’s not do that. Is there anybody else who is interested? You don’t want to trade him in the division. You don’t want to trade him in the conference, if you can, or to a rival like Green Bay,” Garrett responded.

Cowboys injuries: Trevon Diggs practices, Tyler Guyton gives update on knee injury- LP Cruz, Blogging The Boys


It is officially a game-week practice report.

Great news to start the week. Cornerback Trevon Diggs (knee) was back on the field working in drills. In speaking with reporters, he said his knee feels good and said he did “everything” in practice today.

The good news keeps rolling in as Tyler Guyton also practiced today after suffering a knee injury early in training camp. Guyton said he plans to play Thursday although it has not been confirmed yet, but seeing him on the field this early in the week is a positive sign, indicating he may be on track to play versus the Eagles.

However, unfortunately for Dallas, defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey left practice early with what has been described as a back injury. Hopefully, it’s a minor tweak and Winfrey can return to practice this week to help against the Eagles offensive line.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/dal...ron-bland-surprised-by-new-contract-extension
 
Kenneth Murray, Jack Sanborn additions will be a key piece of the defense vs. Eagles

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The Dallas Cowboys 53-man roster they’ll take into a week one Thursday night opener at the Philadelphia Eagles is pretty much set after the shocking Micah Parsons trade. The Cowboys will be underdogs against the Eagles, and because of this will need all of the big playmaking ability they can get on the field.

When the Cowboys do take the field in Philadelphia, the story will be on the stars they truly need to compete with the defending Super Bowl champs. Many of these players will be suiting up for the first time this season after sitting out the entire preseason, but few have gone under-the-radar like linebackers Kenneth Murray and Jack Sanborn.

Murray and Sanborn are both going into their first season with the Cowboys, and were acquired on the same day in March. Sanborn was a free agent deal to join forces with DC Matt Eberflus, who he played for with the Chicago Bears previously. The Cowboys traded a seventh-round pick away to the Tennessee Titans to acquire Murray, a former first-rounder. When these moves were made, it showed the Cowboys were serious about listening to their new coaches (or, at very least an experienced one with a previous stint in Dallas in Eberflus) and putting their neck out in ways they hadn’t before to acquire the players these coaches would need in a new scheme. The entire outlook at linebacker was changed in an instant, but then the preseason told a different story.

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Second-year player Marist Liufau came out of the gates with a statement game against the Rams to start the preseason, and looked every bit like the ascending player he was throughout his rookie season. Liufau’s nose for the football and relentless effort make him a fit in every scheme, and the Cowboys realized this quickly with plays on both defense and special teams. Liufau’s playing time dipped in the second exhibition against the Ravens, making way for rookie Shemar James to see the field more, as well as veteran Damone Clark. James was the Cowboys leader in snaps the following week at home against the Falcons, and had an interception. Darius Harris and Buddy Johnson were also a heavy part of the rotation, but both are now on the practice squad.

The Cowboys made a lot of strides defensively in just three preseason games under Eberflus, and now it will be up to the players they haven’t seen this preseason to continue this growth at an even higher rate. The area they looked the best in against the Falcons was dropping into coverage between the second and third levels to take throwing lanes away, and getting help from the pass rush with sacks from James Houston and Perrion Winfrey was certainly welcome. With Murray sitting out the entire preseason and Sanborn warming up with juts 21 snaps (19 defense, 2 special teams) against the Ravens, the Cowboys must feel like both players are ready to help them right away.

Sanborn and Murray made it through Oxnard training camp, the preseason, and ongoing practices at The Star without much buzz. Sanborn is an adept coverage player with the ability to also shed blocks along the line of scrimmage and play the run. Murray is more of a gap-shooting linebacker when playing downhill, but can show off great lateral range in coverage to make plays on the ball as well.

With Liufau also rightfully earning a spot at linebacker, and Clark being a savvy veteran that always finds a way to get in on the action, the Cowboys have a strong depth chart to start the season at linebacker, yet concerns about both their interior run defense and pass defense as a whole remains high. The Cowboys also expect DeMarvion Overshown to factor into the defense in a big way from the linebacker position later in the year, but for now their first-year acquisitions will have to be even more prepared to play a lion’s share of snaps. Shemar James is still a rookie best kept in a rotational role early on in his career.

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Today’s NFL offenses are all about dictating matchups and exploiting any defensive weaknesses, a few of which the Cowboys will go into the season with until proven otherwise. Playing against Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, and the Eagles offensive line as a first test for their thin defensive tackle depth and inexperience at cornerback is a true sink or swim moment early in the season. Having some un-scouted looks that include the host of pass rushers the Cowboys didn’t utilize much or at all this preseason, as well as Murray and Sanborn changing up the look completely at linebacker, is a card Matt Eberflus must have up his sleeve next Thursday night. The same will go for the Cowboys offense being called by Brian Schottenheimer, and they too will be relying on first-year players brought in via free agency and trade like Javontae Williams and George Pickens.

It feels like a while ago we as Cowboys fans were collectively praising the team for using all avenues of player acquisition to really improve this roster for the 2025 season. In Cowboys fashion, they’ve found ways to take the attention away from these football matters, but right now, the football between the lines is all that does matter. The Cowboys did well to bring in not just any new players, but veterans that understand how to prepare for the long season. The early returns on at least some of these players need to be positive for Dallas to not be stuck in the familiar place of relying on recent draft picks that aren’t ready for starting roles just yet. Starting with two linebackers that can be signal-callers and jack-of-all-trade type players in Murray and Sanborn is a great place to look with a primetime divisional game on tap.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/dal...ack-sanborn-additions-roster-cuts-eagles-game
 
Cowboys news: Dallas DL dealing with back injury, Philly still shows respect for Parsons-less pass rush

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Back issue could delay return to NFL for Cowboys’ exciting defender after strong camp – K.D. Drummond, The Cowboys Wire


Perrion Winfrey had a strong camp and preseason to make the Cowboys roster, but now is dealing with a back issue ahead of week one.

Winfrey spent just one season in Cleveland, having a firearm charge eventually leading to his release. He latched on with the New York Jets, but wasn’t able to establish himself and eventually ended up in the UFL with the Birmingham Stallions. Winfrey turned that setback into opportunity, making All-UFL this past season and getting himself back on the radar of NFL clubs.

McClay pounced and brought him to Dallas.

Unfortunately, WInfrey’s ability to re-debut in the NFL after being run out the league his first time through is up for debate. A back injury suffered earlier in the week had him sit out of Tuesday’s practice, so it’s unsure whether he’ll be available to play against the Eagles on Thursday night.

Winfrey is one of five defensive tackles in the Dallas rotation to start the year. Osa Odighizuwa and Kenny Clark will be the starters, with Winfrey subbing in alongside Solomon Thomas and Mazi Smith. Some observers have mentioned how his rise reminds them of the positive start to his Cowboys career that David Irving had.

Eagles’ Nick Sirianni Reacts to Micah Parsons Trade Ahead of NFL Opener vs. Cowboys – Timothy Rapp, Bleacher Report


The Eagles’ HC sees what many Cowboys fans are still hoping to see without Parsons on defense, which is quality depth at defensive end.

The Philadelphia Eagles won’t have to face Micah Parsons ahead of Thursday night’s season-opener against the Dallas Cowboys, following his shocking trade to the Green Bay Packers, but the Birds are focusing on who will be on the field.

“We have so much going on here,” head coach Sirianni told reporters while discussing the Parsons trade. “We’re getting ready to play the Cowboys, so he’s in your thoughts for game planning, but they still have guys that we have to prepare for. They have Kenny Clark, who’s a really good player, and they have good depth at that defensive end group. You don’t get too wrapped up in that except for some of the things you’re doing with the game plan. But, also understanding that they have a lot of good players over there and getting ready for those guys and shifting your attention to that.”

Star offensive tackle Jordan Mailata also addressed the absence of Parsons.

“A sigh of relief,” he told reporters Sunday, laughing, when asked what preparations were like now that Parsons isn’t in Dallas. “I say that as a joke, but at the same time, it’s just kinda crazy. For the last four, five years we’ve played the Cowboys, we’ve come up with a game plan, because Micah’s a gamer. So it is a sigh of relief that you don’t have to plan like that anymore. However, that is a talented D-line and talented defense, so you’ve got to treat them with the same respect with or without Parsons.”

The Cowboys need these players to be X-factors against the Eagles – Shane Taylor, Inside The Star


The Cowboys are all-in on being a sounder run defense going against the Eagles, but will need Mazi Smith to be a factor here.

Mazi Smith

You want to beat the Eagles? You have to stop Barkley, and Mazi Smith my eyes are all on you my guy.

You were a first round pick to come in and stop the run. You have not done much in your first two years. Now is the time.

The frustrating thing about Smith’s NFL career thus far is he appears to have the physical tools to succeed. He is 6-foot-3, with a 33 3/4″ wingspan while weighing 337 pounds. He has everything he needs to stop being a no-show every single week, yet here we are again.

This will be his last season as a Dallas Cowboy. I think if he does not produce the way that he should.

The Eagles are going to lean on the run and even though Micah Parsons was an edge rusher, more weight is going to be on Mazi Smith with him being gone.

Perfect time for your breakout game, Thursday.

Cowboys point/counterpoint: Did Micah Parsons trade kill season before it even began? – David Howman, Blogging The Boys


The Cowboys will find out quickly what they are up against in the NFC East this year with week one at the Eagles and week two vs. the Giants.

I do feel like every year we talk ourselves into the NFC East being tougher than it ever has been, and every year (that Prescott stays healthy) the Cowboys are in the playoffs. Obviously the standard is more than just that, but people are forgetting how much Prescott does for this team’s chances.

The defense may not be as good as it was in the Quinn years, but having Prescott back under center – and with an upgraded receiving corps, no less – is huge. He’s won plenty of shootouts over the years, some of those even coming in the Quinn years, and he’s capable of doing it with Lamb, Pickens, Turpin, and Ferguson.

As for the rest of the division, it’s easy to make the case for any of those teams to either regress or take a huge step forward. I’m not convinced any of them are surefire contenders at this stage.

Tom: Yeah, the season hasn’t started and we really don’t know how any team is going to play on the field. But I have a hard time seeing the Eagles taking much of a step back. They rely so heavily on the running game, and that usually comes around quickly. That roster still looks very deep.

I’ll give you the others being less certain. Still, my concerns about Dallas are more from looking at them. They lack depth in key areas, the running back room is still a bit of a mystery, that O line has to come together in a hurry, it is a big leap to say Kenny Clark is going to fix the defensive line, and on and on. I don’t think Schottenheimer was a bad hire. I just think he has the deck stacked against him. I can’t help but think that this team would have to seriously overachieve in order to even make the playoffs. In the tumultuous world of the Dallas Cowboys, that seems unlikely.

David: The Eagles lost a handful of starters on defense and nearly half of their offensive staff, namely offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. Philadelphia insiders were praising Moore for being the much-needed buffer between Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts, and now that dynamic is gone, replaced by a first time playcaller who’s been Sirianni’s right hand man for a long time.

Between those factors and the inevitable Super Bowl hangover, I can easily see the Eagles taking a step back. I don’t think it’ll happen, but I could even see them miss the postseason altogether.

2025 NFL projected win totals: Floor & ceiling for each NFC team – Cynthia Frelund, NFL.com


It is very humbling to see the Cowboys only ahead of the Saints, and (barely) the Giants on this list.

Dallas Cowboys

Wins 5.8

  • Ceiling: 7.9
  • Floor: 4.0
  • FanDuel over/under: 7.5

Not sure if you heard, but the Cowboys traded Micah Parsons to the Packers. I think DT Kenny Clark, who was part of the return package from Green Bay, is a valuable asset, but I was very leery of Dallas’ banged-up secondary even before the franchise parted ways with Parsons.

One positive note: CeeDee Lamb had 101 receptions for 1,194 receiving yards in 2024, marking his third consecutive season with triple-digit catches — and he forecasts to do it again this season.

Matt Eberflus already has the tools to avoid repeating Mike Zimmer disaster – Jared A’Lattore, The Landry Hat


The Cowboys might have a plan on defense after all… at least when it comes to the coaching staff.

Mickey Spagnola and Tommy Yarrish of the official Cowboys’ website answer if Eberflus can avoid the awful defensive start that Zimmer was responsible for in 2024. Yarrish gives some optimism to Eberflus, thanks to one adjustment that Zimmer never bothered to think about.

“I think Eberflus has a lot of guys on this staff that are familiar with how he does thing and his system. That wasn’t necessarily as much of the case with Mike Zimmer. Familiarity with the scheme and how Eberflus will call the defense in general helps avoid some of the things early from last season that Mike Zimmer regretted not doing earlier.”

Matt Eberflus having former Bears coaches next to him is what the Cowboys needed

Of course, no one is trying to turn the Cowboys into the Bears, but Eberflus having guys that he knows well on the staff is a major difference from Zimmer. Dave Borgonzi, the linebackers coach, and Andre Curtis, the defensive passing game coordinator are faces that Eberflus knows well from his time with the Bears.

It almost seems like the hiring of Zimmer was too easy, as if it was rushed of some sort. Eberflus having his old Bears coaches along with Jack Sanborn at linebacker should make for defensive communication to look miles better.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/dal...ly-shows-respect-micah-parsons-less-pass-rush
 
Troy Aikman on whether he believes Cowboys care about winning more than anything else

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When it comes to the Dallas Cowboys of our current climate there is an often-said criticism.

“They care more about attention off the field than they do winning on it.”

You have likely heard, maybe even said, this yourself. The Cowboys are the most valuable professional sports franchise in the world and hold the title despite not appearing in even their sport’s penultimate stage in what will officially be 30 years in January should they fail to do so. Just a few weeks ago the team was the subject of a Netflix documentary that (in an objectively incredible fashion) told the story of one of the greatest dynasties professional sports has ever seen.

The final episode of the documentary featured a fast forward to the current day Cowboys who are struggling to stand tall in the shadows cast by those who preceded them. Troy Aikman is chief among those players, he was also featured plenty in the documentary, and on Tuesday was a guest on The Rich Eisen Show that can now be seen on Disney+.

Obviously he was asked about the recent Micah Parsons trade and said the things you would expect. What was notable though was that Eisen asked Aikman for his thoughts on the thought we began this discussion with. What would Troy Aikman say to fans who feel that way about Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys leadership?

“I’m not sure I can really say much, Rich, to be honest with you because I saw Jerry talk about the fact that… having the Cowboys as a discussion point is meaningful to him. And if people aren’t talking about the Cowboys then he’ll do things to stir it up.”

“So he kind of walked into that and has given the impression that that supersedes winning.”

“And I think in some ways… I’m sure that Jerry and the Jones family and everyone is tired of talking about the fact that they haven’t been to a Championship Game, let alone a Super Bowl, in 30 years…”

“So then when you deflect that then essentially the valuation of your franchise or the attention, and the exposure, or the drama… or as Jerry said the fact that the Cowboys are a soap opera 365 days a year…”

“…that then becomes the scoreboard. Instead of winning and losing on the field.”

“Do I think that winning is not important to Jerry Jones? Not at all. I think Jerry wants to win more than anything else and I think that he’s very exhausted of the fact that this team, although they’ve won a lot of regular season games as you know, it is remarkable how much they’ve won in the regular season over the last 20-25 years, but yet, they’ve only won four playoff games. And that’s hard to stomach.”

Aikman ultimately defended Jerry and the way he did is fair. It is certainly believable that Jerry Jones wants to win. Nobody denies this. People add the caveat that winning a certain way may be what truly is the highest-level priority.

Aikman referenced Jerry’s own words about purposefully stirring things up around the Cowboys when they aren’t center stage, a line that Jones in true fashion delivered at the premier of the Netflix documentary. To Aikman’s point… Jerry sort of made the argument against himself in this regard.

The line that Aikman said that stuck the most with me is about how all of the off-the-field stuff “becomes the scoreboard.” It is everyone’s greatest fear (perhaps you acknowledge it as truth and not as a hypothetical) that this is the scoreboard that the Cowboys want to put the most points on.

We can all rationalize things in our own ways, but when Troy Aikman speaks on Jerry Jones it is noteworthy. He obviously speaks from experience and does so with conviction.

Do you agree with Aikman? Do you think he’s off base?

The Cowboys are going to do their best to disagree in terms of the scoreboard that matters most as they will be held against the one in Philadelphia in a couple of days.

Maybe that doesn’t matter, though.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/dal...n-jerry-jones-dallas-cowboys-winning-priority
 
Dallas Cowboys: Reading between the lines (defense)

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This side of Between the Lines we flip the attention to the defensive line, where chaos meets strategy. This is where the Cowboys’ games are won and lost so let’s dive in.

Interior Defensive Line


Osa Odighizuwa
(2024 Stats: 47 Total Tackles, 5 TFL, 60 Pressures, 4.5 Sacks, 1 FF)
Grade: N/A

Solomon Thomas

(2024 Stats: 26 Total Tackles, 5 TFL, 22 Pressures, 3.5 Sacks, 1 FF, 1 FR)
Grade: N/A

Kenny Clark

(2024 Stats: 37 Total Tackles, 4 TFL, 34 Pressures, 1 Sack, 2 FR)
Grade: N/A

Mazi Smith

(2024 Stats: 41 Total Tackles, 4 TFL, 8 Pressures, 1 Sack)
Grade: N/A

Jay Toia

(2024 Stats: N/A)
Grade: N/A

So there’s no easy way to put this Cowboys fans, the Eagles are fresh off a dominant 2024 season and they enter this matchup at the top of several key offensive categories. They led the NFL in rushing attempts (621), came second in total rush yards (3,048 yards) and rushing touchdowns (29), doing so with the league-topping running back and a solid dual-threat quarterback. We all know about the “tush push”, but Philly is lethal in short-yardage situations. They converted 76% of their runs on attempts of two yards or fewer, and on zone runs they deploy very effective pin-and-pulls and spread formations, cutting Barkley free to the edges with help blocks from tight ends or receivers. But it doesn’t end there. In 11 personnel, Barkley averaged 6.9 yards per carry over 152 attempts, highlighting how effective they are in traditional sets versus man coverage.

So now we know the mountain this interior defensive linemen face, what can they do about it? Simply put, the Cowboys must hold the line, especially on short yard runs and on third-and-short. Stopping the Eagles linchpin concepts demands flawless assignment discipline from the Cowboys interior and certainly requires them to not draw flags. Moving Barkley laterally is a specialty for the Eagles, so interior defenders must shed blocks while maintaining gap integrity, not an easy task.

Another point to note is the fact Pro Bowler Landon Dickerson has been limited in practice due to a back injury, so keep an eye on his health. Cohesion could suffer here if he is unable to play the whole game, and most certainly run blocking effectiveness on the inside will take a dip.

This is the type of game where Kenny Clark will be important. The seasoned, powerful run-stopper acquired from Green Bay in the Micah Parsons trade will need to hit the ground running in Week 1. Although his 2024 sack production dipped, he remains a formidable presence in two-gaps. As for Mazi Smith, he struggled in run defense (35.9 PFF grade) last season. With interior line a huge focal point this week, his development is critical for this game.

Defensive End


Marshawn Kneeland
(2024 Stats: 14 Total Tackles, 2 TFL, 11 Pressures, 0 Sacks, 1 FR)
Grade: N/A

Sam Williams

(2024 Stats: N/A)
Grade: N/A

Dante Fowler Jr.

(2024 Stats: 39 Total Tackles, 14 TFL, 50 Pressures, 11 Sacks, 2 FF)
Grade: N/A

Donovan Ezeiruaku

(2024 Stats: N/A)
Grade: N/A

James Houston

(2024 Stats: N/A)
Grade: N/A

The Cowboys’ interior defenders must hold firm, amplifying the need for edge pressure to disrupt Philly’s downhill blocking schemes. The Eagles lean on inside-zone and gap schemes, plus constant play-action threats, so winning on the edge can tilt the line of scrimmage in Dallas’ favor this week. The Eagles’ run game is the benchmark of NFL consistency. For the Cowboys’ edges, it’s not just about rushing the passer, it’s about being anchors, gap-sound disruptors, and disciplined on the outside. Success hinges on reading blocks, setting the edge cleanly, and forcing the game back inside where interior defenders like Odighizuwa and Clark thrive.

Entering his second NFL season, Kneeland finished 2024 with 14 tackles and a fumble recovery. His athleticism and improving instincts make him a versatile rotational piece, valued for both interior presence and edge flexibility. Dallas re-signed Fowler on a one-year deal worth up to $8 million, relying on his experience and production to elevate the pass rush like he did while in Dallas under Dan Quinn two seasons back. A proven force, Fowler adds immediate punch to the rotation. Ezeiruaku racked up 16.5 sacks in 2024, the second-most in college football, earning ACC Defensive Player of the Year and the Ted Hendricks Award. Known for his fluid footwork, elite bend, and deft counter moves like cross-chop and euro-step, this could be a great foundational game for “E-Z” to set the tone for his career. Then we have Williams coming back from his ACL season-ending injury last year and he’s looking hungry to get going and is extremely motivated for this season. That will be even more so with Parsons’ departure and Williams probably benefited the most on the depth chart from the trade.

Dallas’ edge corps enters the season with a powerful blend of youth, experience, and upside. Youthful explosiveness (Kneeland, Ezeiruaku), a hungry comeback (Williams), proven pressure (Fowler), and situational firepower (Houston) create a formidable front. The key will be blending these talents to keep the Eagles off balance and force rhythm-defining plays early.

Defensive line injury updates:


Perrion Winfrey went down in practice on Monday. He looked very uncomfortable walking off the field so his availability for this week’s Thursday Night game is extremely doubtful. Keep watch on BTB for more updates on the situation.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/dal...line-dante-fowler-osa-odighizuwa-sam-williams
 
Dallas Cowboys scouting report: Breaking down the Eagles defensive scheme

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The Cowboys aren’t exactly betting favorites heading into Philadelphia for the NFL’s kickoff game against the reigning Super Bowl champion. They’ve often been a playoff team when Dak Prescott is on the field, but his return from a season-ending injury hasn’t seemed to inspire much confidence. At least some of that has to do with the defense he’s facing in Week 1.

Vic Fangio is entering his second season running the Eagles defense, and the godfather of the most common defense being run in the league today is not daunted by the challenges he faces in 2025. Fangio pioneered the light box defense with two deep safeties that’s become the flavor of the month in recent years.

He’s watched on as many of his acolytes – Brandon Staley, Sean Desai, Ejiro Evero, Joe Barry, Raheem Morris, and others – have risen the coaching ranks rapidly. Other coaches, like Aaron Glenn or Vance Joseph, have tried to simply emulate Fangio despite not having worked directly with him.

Yet, there’s no replicating the original, and Fangio remains the most effective at his particular style of defense. It’s a scheme that makes heavy use of zone coverages, primarily quarters coverage, and is designed to take away big plays and make offenses earn it with dinks and dunks. Fangio also uses light boxes, almost encouraging teams to run on him, and either floods the secondary with extra bodies or stacks the line of scrimmage to confuse pass protection schemes.

It’s a fairly simplistic scheme on its face, similar to a pitcher who only throws a few different pitches but is a master of them all. Of course, it’s hardly simple for a quarterback. Fangio’s defenses will usually look the same before the snap, but defensive backs will drop into different spots of their zone after the snap, based on the call and the offense’s alignment. This is where Fangio’s genius comes in: he’s a master of knowing how to make things difficult for an offense.

Put simply, Fangio’s overarching philosophy is to frustrate an offense so much that they try to force something, at which point they make a big mistake. Fangio has succeeded in this tactic against all the greats, most recently Patrick Mahomes, and he’s done it to Prescott and the Cowboys many times with several different franchises.

That said, Fangio does face a new challenge this year.

Out of the 18 different Eagles defenders who played at least 250 snaps last year – Fangio likes to use deep rotations, especially on the defensive line – 10 of them are no longer in Philadelphia. An 11th player, starting linebacker Nakobe Dean, is starting the season on the PUP list.

The three biggest losses, though, are pass rushers Josh Sweat and Milton Williams and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Sweat led the team in sacks, while Williams was third. Gardner-Johnson, often regarded as the heart and soul of the defense, led the team with six interceptions; the rest of the roster had seven combined picks.

Philadelphia seems to be planning on replacing those impact players from within. Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis are both strong players, and both are expected to see more playing time with Williams gone. On the edge, Nolan Smith is joined by Jalyx Hunt and Azeez Ojulari, as well as hybrid player Zack Baun. Third-year safety Sydney Brown seems the most likely successor to Gardner-Johnson, too.

It’s a dangerously cautious approach to replacing three stars, but the Eagles are gambling more so on Fangio than on their ability to draft and develop talent. Fangio has produced elite defenses with less talent in the past, and he seems more than capable of putting these new faces in the right places to succeed.

That’s where the Cowboys offer a unique first test. Prescott got hurt before he could face Fangio last year, and there’s a new play-caller in head coach Brian Schottenheimer. His offensive coordinator, Klayton Adams, helped upset the Eagles two years ago as the Cardinals’ offensive line coach, where he coached under another Fangio disciple in Jonathan Gannon. The Cowboys also added George Pickens, whose vertical threat is perfect for testing this kind of defense.

Simply put, nobody knows what this Cowboys offense will look like. Prescott has always been a productive quarterback, and his connection with CeeDee Lamb is well established by now. With Pickens, Schottenheimer, and other new factors, it’ll be hard for Fangio to know exactly how to attack in Week 1.

The stage is set for a fascinating chess match between Schottenheimer and Fangio. The outside world may be expecting a defensive beatdown from the Eagles, but don’t be surprised if the Cowboys come out with some answers for Fangio’s limited but deadly pitching repertoire.

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/dal...-report-breaking-down-eagles-defensive-scheme
 
What Cowboys need to do to win as big underdogs, and why they may not

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Another soap opera-esque offseason is behind the Dallas Cowboys, one filled with plenty of tangible personnel changes through the roster and coaching staff as well, and it is time to play some real football! The Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles will get the 2025 season underway tonight, putting the Cowboys in the incredibly familiar spotlight of a primetime, standalone game, but with a first time head coach making his debut. Brian Schottenheimer and his retooled roster that includes George Pickens, 12th overall pick Tyler Booker, Javontae Williams, and Kenny Clark will go up against the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles led by Nick Sirianni.

Have these changes for the Cowboys put them in a position to better compete, at least within the NFC East? The NFL is expecting drama no matter how this division unfolds this season, with all four teams – the Eagles, conference finalist Commanders, new-look Giants, and of course the Cowboys – being featured heavily on primetime throughout the year. Dallas would love nothing more than to make the first statement they are here to have a say in keeping a streak of 20 consecutive seasons without a repeat winner in the East alive, with their first win over the Eagles since December of 2023.

While it was the Cowboys who were forced to come out of their shell and get busy this offseason reworking a team that will have a new offensive and defensive play-caller on the sidelines tonight, the Eagles, by way of being defending champs. are simply looking for sustainability. While this is much easier said than done in today’s pro football, their depth chart is littered with familiar faces of Pro Bowl-level talent that can give the Cowboys trouble. Early season defensive struggles, season-long struggles against the run, and inefficiency in creating big plays through the air are all things that have plagued the Cowboys in recent seasons, and three immediate areas the Eagles will present a stiff challenge with Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, and a Vic Fangio coordinated defense.

As the biggest betting underdog in the entire league for week one, what is the single biggest key to the Cowboys scoring an upset that would spoil championship celebration night for the Eagles?

On the flip side, what will be the most alarming thing the Eagles could do against the Cowboys to seize control of this game and put early doubt into Dallas’ chances to compete? This will be a weekly series we do before each and every Dallas Cowboys game this season, so let’s start with how they get to the outcome that will make waiting all day for Sunday Thursday night worth it!

The Dallas Cowboys will start 1-0 if….​

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They crack the Vic Fangio code on offense​


Remember when Vic Fangio was an outcast coordinator after one season with the Miami Dolphins in 2023, when Miami finished 22nd in points allowed per game and talks of him not being able to connect with players or said players picking up the scheme ran wild?

We don’t either.

Not only did that particular Dolphins team hold Mike McCarthy’s Cowboys to 20 points in a Dallas loss that season, but after moving on, Fangio joined the Eagles as defensive coordinator and led them to the Super Bowl with two more regular season wins against the Cowboys. Granted, both of last season’s games were against Cooper Rush at quarterback, but Fangio defenses getting the better of McCarthy’s – even with Dak Prescott – was a regular enough occurrence for it to be a talking point over McCarthy’s tenure.

The Cowboys’ static approach and insistence on spreading their best play makers out wide without much motion regularly played right into the hands of Fangio’s “umbrella” style defense. The lifeblood of this defense is getting to their spots in coverage quickly and efficiently, and if an offense is going to line up pre-snap already spread to the areas the routes are called, they are playing into the trap. Now with coach Schottenheimer calling plays, the Cowboys feel they have their schematic answer in this way. Since day one, Schottenheimer has said all encouraging things about motions, split cuts, condensed formations, and marriage between run and pass looks. Putting it on the line to try and beat a DC his predecessor could not for a coaching debut on Sunday Night Football is as fun of a storyline in this game as any, even if it won’t get the most publicity.

As early as May, it was this game within the game that served as the earliest actual result Cowboys fans would have to judge Schottenheimer on:

While it’s true the Cowboys have been mostly applauded for their activity in all phases of player acquisition to address these areas, trading for Miles Sanders, signing Javonte Williams, drafting Javonte Blue and Phil Mafa, drafting Tyler Booker 12th overall, and trading for George Pickens, there is still a way the Cowboys can help Prescott make it all work that remains the biggest question going into year one of Schottenheimer.

With his hiring being yet another close to the vest move by the Jones family, does it mean the offense will remain in the same image it has from even before the McCarthy era, or is Schottenheimer finally the right hire alongside new OC Klayton Adams to move it forward schematically? Putting this ultimate question to the test right out of the gate, against a defensive coordinator in Fangio who’s had every answer to the Cowboys predictability on offense for a long time now, is great early-season theater for the NFL between two teams they’ll highlight plenty all year long.
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The Cowboys’ 1-2 record in the preseason did not exactly offer any early insight into how this matchup might play out. The final win against the Falcons at home was the most promising on both sides of the ball, but for the most part under so many new coaches, the Cowboys stuck to their ways of keeping even remotely important players on ice. To pull off tonight’s upset, the Cowboys will likely need big plays from all three of CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and Jake Ferguson at tight end, none of which played a single snap this preseason.

They will obviously need Prescott to look leaps and bounds better than Joe Milton or Will Grier did in the preseason as well, and have promising pieces inserting into the lineup up front to expect just that. Booker will slide into the starting right guard role as the team’s latest first-round pick to the offensive line, while last year’s first-round pick Tyler Guyton is ready to go at left tackle. Elsewhere, Dallas will be looking for more of the same from Tyler Smith, a year two jump at center from Cooper Beebe, and consistency from Terence Steele at right tackle.

The three teams that beat the Eagles and Fangio last season (Falcons, Buccaneers, Commanders) all rushed for over 100 yards and did a good job keeping their quarterbacks upright. It is not just a cliché to say this game could be won or lost in the trenches for the Cowboys, another area Schottenheimer has been eager to take the fight to with the desire for a more physical team up front. Even if every Cowboys drive isn’t ending in a touchdown, they need to avoid long passing situations that lead to low percentage throws and short time of possession drives.

The offense that played the Eagles’ defense the best last postseason was the Los Angeles Rams, called by Sean McVay. The Rams’ 291 total yards and 111 on the ground surpassed the Packers in the previous round, and Commanders and Chiefs in the NFC Championship and Super Bowl. Just like they will be tonight, NBC’s Mike Tirico and Chris Collinsworth were on the call for this Rams-Eagles Divisional game, with Collinsworth even calling this late fourth quarter touchdown from Matt Stafford to Colby Parkinson a “code breaker”. The Rams couldn’t fully break the code of beating the Eagles on their home field in the snow, nor could the Commanders or Chiefs in the Super Bowl, and now this next opportunity belongs to Schottenheimer and the Cowboys.

While it will take some time for any team to eat, sleep, and breathe that style of offense with motions and pre-snap reads on a weekly basis better than the Rams, the Cowboys have at least talked the talk about being closer to this style of modern offense this offseason. In only a matter of hours, it will be time to walk the walk and try and score a victory few expect them to get on the road. If successful, the Cowboys will end a ten-game home winning streak by the Eagles that includes last years playoff run.

The Dallas Cowboys will start 0-1 if…​

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The secondary isn’t ready to win one on one matchups​


The more juicy talking point ahead of this national broadcast will be if the Cowboys can defend the run, given their perpetual struggles here and drawing Barkley, Hurts, and a massive Eagles offensive line out of the gate. The Eagles leaned on Barkley to take the path of least resistance through a dominant 41-7 win at home against the Cowboys last season, but this was late in the year against a Dallas team already eliminated from playoff contention. Barkley had 31 carries for 167 yards, but in eight previous tries, Barkley failed to eclipse 100 yards against the Cowboys, mostly as a member of the New York Giants of course.

It also feels distinctly possible the Cowboys will be aggressive in their own passing game early and often, in an effort to do everything they can to dissuade the Eagles from keeping it on the ground all night.

The Cowboys have plenty of new names in the front seven they can commit to stopping the run, so much so that it’s hard to imagine the Eagles just imposing their will this way to grind out an easy victory. Ideally, Dallas will get solid run defense from a defensive front that now includes Kenny Clark in the middle. They also have linebackers Kenneth Murray, Marist Liufau, and Jack Sanborn, and if needed, safeties Donovan Wilson and Markquese Bell can all come down to play the run. Playing to not let Barkley beat them is on the table for the Cowboys should they choose to do so, but it won’t come without a cost in an already questionable secondary.

While Dallas has gotten some of the best possible news in the secondary leading up to this game, with cornerback Trevon Diggs expected to play along with the newly re-signed DaRon Bland, they still have concerns on the backend. Kair Elam is far from a sure thing as a regular starter, but expects to be thrown out there early by the team that traded for the former first-round pick early this offseason.

The Eagles’ best form of ball control in this game may not be pounding the rock between the tackles. Surprisingly, it may actually be using the run game just enough to draw the attention of the Cowboys’ defense, and create very high percentage throws for A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith. Brown is a big, physical receiver at the catch point, a trait to neutralize one of the things Bland and Diggs do best, which is to contest 50/50 throws. Smith, with his quickness, can create easy separation. If the Cowboys can’t create sacks (living in a post Micah Parsons world with their pass rush) and negative plays, the Eagles offense has a great chance to stay painfully on schedule all night.

Hurts will take what the defense gives him, execute in short yardage in ways only the Eagles know how, and put an insurmountable amount of pressure on the Cowboys offense to not only score but score quickly for 60 minutes. This could easily be a recipe for a frustrating, long night for Cowboys fans hoping to see their team prove a lot of doubters wrong and start off 1-0 for the third season in a row.

Which path do you see as most likely for the Cowboys against the Eagles in week one? Let us know in the comments leading up to kickoff!

Source: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/dal...outing-report-best-way-dalls-wins-eagles-game
 
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